Ian Goodison's 49th-minute strike for Jamaica excited the standing-room only crowd of 27,000. But it was Brian Ching, appearing in only his third game for the USA, who sapped that joy with two minutes left as the Americans escaped with the draw.

The USA, which entered the match unbeaten in 13 outings against Jamaica (it has four ties here), wasn't able to find its rhythm on the attack all night.

On the tying goal, Cobi Jones, playing his first game in more than a year, sent a cross into the area where Landon Donovan gathered it and sent a quick pass off to his right for Ching, who fired from about 8 yards for his first international goal.

A defensive giveaway led to the Jamaica goal in the 49th minute. After Eddie Pope stopped the Jamaicans by heading out a dangerous cross, Andy Williams, who plays for the Chicago Fire, sent a corner kick into the goal area. Goodison headed it down, and the ball skipped off the ground and high over goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

Jamaica's home ground, the National Stadium, is called "The Office" by the team. It has undergone a facelift during the last few years making it more fan friendly and improving a field that, though it isn't lush, is a far cry from the hard-packed, baked-dirt surface of a few years ago.

Surrounded by a running track and velodrome, the stadium has a wide screen at one end and a working game clock.

One constant that will likely never change is the spirit of the Jamaican population and the attention devoted to the national team when it plays.

The traditional reggae and dance-hall rhythms provided by a DJ on the side of the field started vibrating through the stadium Wednesday four hours before kickoff (3 p.m. ET).

As the teams began warm-ups, a female dance troupe, nearly two dozen strong and decked out in soccer gear, performed while 20 cheerleaders in national colors performed in a reserved seating area.

Jamaica's roster included 15 players who play professionally overseas, with 12 in England (two in the Premiership) and three with MLS clubs. Jamaica is seeking to return to the World Cup after qualifying in 1998 and falling short in 2002.

he USA's next game is Sept. 4 at Foxboro, Mass., against El Salvador. Four days later, it plays in Panama City vs. Panama. Jamaica plays Panama in its next qualifier.

The top two finishers in the group after six games advance to the CONCACAF finals next year.